Electrical device.



E. TAMURA.

ELECTRICAL' DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED IuLY 30 I9I4.

1,188,220. Patented June 20,1916.

3 SHEETS--SHEET l.

` a, l si 4 a l E 2 1 1 arbor/mud E. TAMURA.

ELECTRICAL DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED 'n JLYao, 1914.

Patented June 20, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

SuM/vlug s E. TAMURAA ELECTRICAL DEVCE.

APPLxcATloN FILED 1uLy30.1914.

1 1 88,220 Patented June 20, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- E EL,

#MMCZ-f @M Y N e uw @Hoi/wma@ ETSNO TAMURA, F SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA.

ELECTRICAL DEVICE.

specification of Letters Patent. Patented June 2o, 1916.

Application led .Tuly 30, 1914. Serial No. 854,095.

To all'wlwm 'it may concern.' i f Be it known that I, ETsNo TAMURA, rcsiding at Sacramento, in the county of Sacramento and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Devices; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in electrical apparatus and more particularly to an apparatus for incandescent electric lightings and the primary object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for controlling a multiplicity of incandescent lights from a single switch. A further object of the invention resides in providing an improved socket construction for engagement with the main socket connected with the main leads and a still further object resides in providing an im-l proved switch construction for connection with the improved socket last referred to.

A still further object resides in providing an apparatus whichis simple in construetion, inexpensive to manufacture and one which will be extremely eiicient and useful in operation.

Writh. these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter referred to andmore particularly pointed out in the specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application: Figure 1 is an elevation of a device constructed in accordance with my invention showing` the one socket thereof 4applied to the main socket of an electricflighting system-z Fig. 2 is an enlargedwertical section through the socket carrying the switch disclosingthe main contact member of the switch in its neutral position g Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the contact member inits first positiony wherein the lamp in the upper socket is illuminated: Figi 4 is a similar view showing the contact member in its second actuated position wherein both lamps are illuminated: Fig. 5 is also an enlarged vertical section through the one socket showing the contact member in its third actuated position wherein the lamp in the lower socket only is illuminated: Fig. 6 is a vertical section as seen on line G-6 of Fig. 5: Fig. 7 is a horizontal section through the lower socket as seenon line 7 7, F 1g. 6: Fig. 8 is an elevation partly in. section of the lower socket, the same being disposed in a further position to disclose a terminal thereof not heretofore disclosed: Fig. 9 is a similar View, the socket being in a further position showing a still further terminal: Fig. 10 is a vertical section through the lower socket as seen on line 10-10, Fig. 8: Fig. 11 is a horizontal section therethrough as seen on line 11--11.

Fig. 6. Fig. 12 is a front elevation of the upper socket member with the male section or connection between this socket and the conductor wires removed: Fig. 13 is a frontelevation of this upper socket complete with the male section applied: Fig. 14 is an inner elevation of the male section of the socket: Fig. 15 is a side elevation of the male member of the socket removed: Figs. 16, 17 and 18 are vertical sections through this upper socket member as seen on lines 16-16,17-17 and 18-18 respectively, of Fig. 13: Fig. 19 is a vertical section as seen on line 19-19 of Fig. 17 Fig. 20 is a bottom plan view of the upper socket member with the bulb removed and: Figs. 21, 22, 23 and 24 are diagrammatic views showing the circuit between the two socket members and the main lead wires and disclosing the various positions of the main contact member carried on the switch.

In describing the invention I shall refer to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and in which 1 indicates a body member reduced at its upper end to form aneck portion or the like, said body and neck portion being formed of non-conducting material and applied to the neck portion is a metal threaded sleeve 2. The neck portion with thethreaded sleeve 2 thereon is of standard size for engagement with a standard socket 3 used in connection with incandescent lighting systems. The opposite end portion of the body 1 is hollowed out to form a socket proper for the engagement thereof with a bulb 4. The threaded shank or stem on the bulb engages a threaded metal sleeve 5` which is mounted in the socket 3 and permits an electrical contact between one connection of the bulb and a main lead feed wire of the device, the connection between the main lead wire and said sleeve 5 being hereinafter and more particularly set forth.

The main lead wires are indicated in the drawings as 6 and 7 respectively, the same terminating in suitable contact points provided in the main socket 3.

Formed in one face of the body 1 are three recesses or smaller sockets indicated respectively as 9, 10 and 11, the first and last mentioned of which 'communicate with the interior of the socket proper in the lower end of body 1. Arranged in each of said recesses is a U-shaped spring clasp or contact member 12. Each of these contact members is provided with an extension indicated as 13, the same having a threaded opening 14 therein and the extension of the central contact member 12y or that member which is disposed in the central recess 10 is engaged with the lower threaded end of a rod or bolt 15 which extends longitudinally through a central longitudinal channel in the body 1. This rod or bolt 15 has a head thereon which is received in a recess or the like formed .in the upper portion of a separable cap member 16 the latter being applied on the upperend of the neck portion of the body and formed of non-conducting material. This bolt or rod 15, therefore, retains the central contact member 12 in place in its socket 10 as it must be here stated that the head thereof is adapted to contact with the terminal-.of the lead wire 6 in'the standard socket `3, and thus said rod or bolt forms a connection between the main lead 6 and the central contact member. A

Removably secured to the extension 13, on the contact member 12 which is disposed in the recess 11 is an additional extension 17 which has contact with an extension 18 formed on the upper peripheral edge `of the threaded sleeve in the socket proper. Extending longitudinally through the body 1 is an additional rod or bolt 19 the latter having its head mounted on the upper portion of the neck of the body and in contact with the upper 'peripheral edge of the metal Vsleeve portion 2.

he lower threaded end of this bolt or rod 19 is disposed through the extensions 17 and 18 last referred to and a nut is engaged therewith to secure said extensions in place on the rod. The sleeve 2, of course, has contact with the other main leads 7 in the main socket 3 so that the current is conducted from said other main lead 7 directly to the metallic sleeve 5. The current from the two main leads is, therefore, conducted properly to points in the body or socket of my attachment so as tr be properly conducted and applied as desired.

ecured to the extension of the contact member in the recess or socket 9 is a depending angular extension 20 the lower angular portion of which is received against the face of a depending portion of the body and forms a contact point indicated as 21 for the bulb 4 which is adapted to be applied in the socket proper. This completes the socket attachment which is attachable to the main socket of an electric lighting system and it will be seen that in several instances, the means for conducting the current from one member to another also affords the means for securing two or more members in place in the device.

Attachable to the main body p ortion 1 is an insulating head member 22 which carries the three male contact members 23, 24 and 25 respectively. These male contact members may be of an preferred design to cooperate with the Ushaped or female contact members 12 carried in the sockets 9, 10 and 11 the latter respectively receiving said members 23, 24 and 25.4 These members 23, 24 and 25 are adapted to be readily and securely engaged with the members 12 as above mentioned and leading from said members 23, 24 and 25 are the wires 26, 27 and 28 respectively which terminate in a lower socket member as will be hereinafter and more particularly set forth.

lhe lower socket in which the wires 26, 27 and 28 terminate consists of a block or body of insulation indicated at 29, the same being covered by the usual metallic casing .or'covering 30. Mounted on the outer en end of the wire or conductor 28 and engaged with this 'post is an angular arm 34 which has one'angular bent portion thereof extended through an opening in the sleeve 31 and extended therein. The free end of this angular arm 34 indicated as 35 is mounted in the base portion of this sleeve 31 and forms a contact terminal therein for engagement with one terminal of the bulb 32 therein. The other terminal of the bulb, of course, engages the metal lsleeve 31 proper which forms a contact therewith and is also adapted for contact with a member having connection with another wire as will be hereinafter and more particularly set forth.

The wire or conductor 26 terminates and has engagement with a post 36 mounted in a recess on one side of the body 29 and suitably secured to this post is a leaf spring Contact member 37 the latter being bent angularly for a purpose to be hereinafter and more particularly set forth. The wire 27, on the other hand, terminates in engagement with an additional contact post 38 also mounted in the recess in the body 29 and engaged with this post 3S is a metal arm or the like 39, the latter being designed to form one bearing for a shaft or rod 40 extending transversely through the body 29.

The opposite end of the shaft or rod'40 is received loosely through a slot in an additional bearing 41 which forms a continuation of the member 39 and positioned diametrically opposed thereto. This shaft or rod 40 has a finger piece or button 42 mounted on one end thereof whereby the same may be readily rotated in its bearings.

Formed on or otherwise secured to the arm orpiece is a` leaf spring 43 which extends transversely through the body or member 29 above the shaft or rod 40. Loosely applied on the shaft or rod 40 at the end adjacent the bearing 41 is an L- shaped or right-angular contact member 44, the latter being provided with a recess cr cavity 45. Projections 46 are provided on the shaft or rod 40 which are adapted for engagement with the walls of the cavity or recess 45 upon the rotation of said rod or shaft 40. In this manner said member 44 may be rotated with the shaft or rod 4() and the outer edges of the arms of said member 44' are adapted for constant engagement with the outer free ends of the leaf spring member 43 ythe latter having ya tendency to force upwardly thereon. In this manner said member 44 will .be retained in any position to which the same is adjusted under tension of the spring member 43. It must here be stated, however, that the arms of this member 44 are of such length and Coact with the leaf spring member in such` a manner as to permit the outer ends thereof to contact at certain positions thereof with the under face of the metal sleeve 31 and with the spring contact member 37 which is attached to the contact post 3G. In this manner the circuits between the various contact posts may be completed or broken as desired, by the rotation of the shaft 40 to the proper position. The operation of the device to complete or break the various circuits will be hereinafter and more particularly set forth.

In operation assuming that all parts are properly connected one with the other and the upper socket of my attachment properly applied to the main socket of the lighting system, the neutral position of the switch or shaft 40 will be lsuch as to dispose the angular contact member 44 in a position as indicated in Figs. 2 and 24. In this position it will be noted that one end of the one arm of said member 44 is in contact with the leaf spring member 43 while the opposite end thereof is directed opposite to the leaf spring member 37.- All circuits are thus broken and neither of the bulbs illuminated. Upon the rotation of the shaft 40 or the turning of the switch ,in one direction for the first operation of the-device, the member.

44 will assume a position as shown in Figs. 3 and 21 and in this position it will be seen that the one arm of the member is in contact with the leaf spring member 43 while the opposite arm thereo contacts with the spring contact .member 37. In this position of the switch, the current enters the upper socket of my attachment through the main lead wire 6 and continuing from the member 12 in the central recess 10 is directed through the wire 27 to the post 38 and from the latter the same is conducted through the shaft 40 and spring member 43 to the contact member 44. As the latter contacts with the leaf spring member 37 the current is conducted through the latter and through the wire or conductor 26. The latter, of course, leads. to the contact member inthe recess or socket 9 and the current therefor passes through the contact of the bulb 4, through the contact member in the recess 11 and returns to the main lead 7. In 'this manner the conductor orwire 28 is entirely cut out of the circuit and as there is no contact whatsoever with the contact members of the bulb of the lower socket the latter is not illuminatedwhile the bulb at the upper socket is lighted. Upon a further turning of the switch to the second position as shown in Figs. 4 and 22, the contact member 44 assumes a position so that one arm thereof engages the contact member 37 and the other arm of the same engages the lower face of the sleeve member 31 which carries the bulb 32.v In this position of the parts, the current enters through the main lead 6 andv is conducted through the medium of theintermediate conducting sources of the upper socket to the' conductor or wire A27, the latter leading to the post 38 from which point the current is conducted to the member 44 as above described. At this position of the member 44 the current is bridged or divided and a portion thereof is passed to the member 37 from which point the same is conducted through the wire 26 through.

the various contact means passed through the bulb 4 and terminating in the contact member in the recess 11. The remaining portion of the current is directed through the bulb 32 as is obvious in the construction above described and shown in the drawings said current being returned through the wire 28 to the contact member in thehrecess 11 of the body'l at which point theother portions of the circuit terminate. From this point the current is returned through the lead wire 7 and thus the circuit is completed. :In this position of the switch member as thus described and shown in Figs., 4

ico

and 22 it will be' seen that the circuits tlns position of theswitch member, the current will enter through the main lead wire 6 and pass through the various contact means above described and shown in the drawings to the wire 27 the same leading to thel contact member 44 from which' point the-current is directed to the bulb 32 and returned A through the wire 28 to the contact member in the recess 11 of the body member 1. From this point the current is returned through the other main lead wire 7 and the wire 26 in this instance is entirely cut out of the circuit. Thus it will be seen that the bulb at thel u per socketl will not be in this complete circuit While the bulb at the lower socket Will be and the latter bulb Will be the only one illuminated.

From the above description it will be seen that the vswitch is capable of four positions, one in which but one of the bulbs will be lighted; and another position in which both of the bulbs will be lighted, a third position in which the other bulb only will be lighted and a fourth position or the neutral osition of the switch in which neither o the bulbs Will be lighted. It will further be seen that this entire lighting system is controlled by the single switch referred to.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a simple, inexpensive and efficient means for carrying out the objects of the invention and While I have particularly described the elements best adapted to perform the functions set forth, it is obvious that various changes in form, proportion and in the minor details of construction may be resorted to, Within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the principles of the invention.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

l. An electric light socket comprising aV lmetal lamp receiving sleeve carried by said body, a trio of terminal posts mounted on said body, an angular arm connected to one of said posts and extending into said sleeve, a resilient contact finger connected to another of said posts, a rotatable key mounted on the body and having connection with the remaining posts, and an angular conducting arm carried on one end of said key and adapted to coperate with said sleeve and contact finger substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. An electric light socket comprising a body formed of non-conducting material, a metallic lamp receiving sleeve carried thereby, a trio of terminal posts mounted body and having electrical connection with the remaining terminal post, an angular conducting arm carried on one end of said key and adapted to coperate with' said resilient finger and sleeve, and means in con- "nection with said angular conducting arm to yieldingly retain the latter in any adjusted position substantially as and for the purpose `set forth.

3.I An electric light socket comprising a body formed of non-conducting material, a metal lamp receiving sleeve carried thereby, a trio of terminal posts disposed upon said body, a conductor leading from one post into' the sleeve, a resilient contact finger connected to another of said terminal posts, a rotatable key mounted transversely of the body and-having connection with the remaining post, an angular conducting arm keyed to one end of said key and adapted to coperate with said resillent finger and sleeve, and spring means in connection'with said angular arm to yieldingly retain the latter in any adjusted position substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. An electric light socket comprising a body of non-conducting material, a metal lamp receiving sleeve carried thereby, a trio of terminal posts disposed upon said body, an angular arm having one e nd connected to one of said posts, the other end disposed Within said sleeve, a resilient finger carried by another of said posts, a pair of spaced bearings carried on the body, a key rotatably mounted Within said bearings, and having electrical connection with the remaining post, extending transversely of said body, one of said bearings being slotted to permit l a loose movement of the key therein, an angular conducting arm secured to said key adjacent the slotted bearing, and adapted to coperate with said sleeve and resilient contact finger, and means in connection With said arm to yieldingly retain the latter in any adjusted position substantially as and for the purpose set forth. j

5. An electric light socket comprising a body of non-conducting material, a metallic lamp receiving sleeve carried thereby, said sleeve having an opening formed therein, a trio of terminal posts mounted on said body, an angular arm having one end connected to one of said posts, said arm projecting through the opening of said sleeve and having its free end disposed Within the latter, a resilient contact finger carried by another of said posts, a pair of spaced bearings carried on the body, a key rotatably mounted Within said bearings and having body formed of' non-conducting material` and having a transverse slot 4there-through, a metallic lamp receiving sleeve carried on one end of said body, said sleeve having therein an opening, a trio of terminal posts carried by said body, an angular Iarm having one end connected to one of said posts, said arm extending through the opening in saidsleeve and having its free end disposed within the finger on another of said postsfa pair of spaced bearings situated on the slotted portion of said body, a key rotatably mounted in said bearings, one of said bearings being slotted to looselyv receive said key therein, the othergof said bearings having connection with lthe remaining terminal posts, an

ling electrical angular conducting-arm disposed upon said ykey adjacent the slottedbearing and adapted to cooperate with said resilient contact finger and sleeve, springA means in connection-with said body and angular arm to.

yieldingly retain the latter in any adjusted position substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In a device of the class described, a socket comprising a body formed of nonconducting material and having a hollow branch at its lower end, a stem rising from the upper end of said body, a threaded sleeve surrounding said stem, an additional sleeve mounted within the hollow branch of said body, a metallic conductor confined in said body and electrically connecting the rst and second named sleeve, a trio of contact members carried within said body and adapted to cooperate with a trio of exterior contact members, one of said Imembers havconnection with the second named sleeve, a contact arm leading from another of said contact members and having its free end disposed within but out of contact with said second named sleeve, and a second metallic conductor having electrical connection with the remaining contact member and terminating beyond the sleeve of said stem, being out of contact with said sleeve.- j

8. In a device of the class described, a socket comprising a body formed of nonconducting material and having a hollow branch at its lower end, a stem rising from the upper end of said body, a threaded 66,sleeve disposed on said stem, an additional latter, a resilient contact:

threaded sleeve mounted within the hollow branch of said body, a conducting rod having its extremities connected to the first and second named sleeves, a trio of contact members confined within said body, an extension formed on one of said contact members and connected to said conducting rod, an angular contact arm having one end electrically connected to another of said Contact members and having its free end disposed within but out of contact with the second named sleeve, and a metallic conductor electrically connected with the remaining contact member and leading therefrom beyond and out of Contact with the sleeve on the aforesaid stem.

9. In a device of the character described, a socket comprisinga body formed of nonconducting material and having a hollow branch at its lower end, a stem rising from the upper end of said body, a sleeve threaded upon said stem, an additional sleeve mounted within the hollow branch of said body, said additional sleeve having therein ran opening, a conductingrod having its upper rod connected with the first mentioned sleeve, vthe lower end thereof being passed through the opening formed in said second named sleeve, a retaining element disposed on the lower end of said conducting rod, a trio of contact members confined within the body, an extension formed on one of said contact members and secured to the lower end of said conducting rod in contactI with the second named sleeve, an angulary contact arm secured electrically to another of said contact members and having its free end disposed within but out of contact with said second named sleeve, and a conductor electrically connected with the remaining contact member and extending beyond and out of contact with the sleeve of said stem.

10. In a device of the character described, a socket comprising a body formed of nonconducting material and having a hollow branch at its lower end, a stem rising from the upper end of said body, a threaded sleeve disposed on said stem, an additional threaded sleeve mounted within the hollow branch of said body, a conducting rod having its extremities connected with the first and last named sleeves, a trio of contact members confined within the body and adapted to cooperate with a trio of exterior contact members, one of said members hav- ,ing electrical connection with saidconducting rod, a contact arm connected electrically with another of said contact members and having its free end disposed within but out of contact with the second named sleeve, an

a socket comprising a body formed of nonconducting material and having a hollow branch at the lower end thereof, a stem arising from the u per end of said body, a threaded sleeve isposed upon said stem, an additional sleeve situated within the hollow branch of said body, a conducting rod extending through said body, and having its extremities connected to the first and last referred to sleeves respectively, a trio of contact members disposed within said body, an

extension formed on one ofsaid contact members and having its free end connected to said conducting rod, an angular contact arm engaged with another of said contact members and havin its free end disposed within the hollow'ranch of said body, a cap of non-conducting material disposed upon the upper end of the aforesaid stem, a conducting rod having an enlargement at one end thereof, said enlargement bein embedded in said cap, the free end of sald rod being-engaged wlth the remaining Contact member substantially as and for the pur` pose set forth. l

12. In a device of the character described, a socket comprising a body formed of nonconducting material and having a hollow branch at the lower end thereof, a stem arisin from the upper end of said body, a threa ed1sleeve disposed upon said stem, an additional .threaded sleeve mounted within the hollow branch of said body, a conducting rod having its extremities connected to the first and last referred to sleeves respectively, a trio `of contact members disposed within said body, an extension .formed on one of said contact members and having its free end connected to said conducting arm, an angular contact arm having one end connected to another of said contact members, said extension being formed with a threaded opening, a cap of non-conducting material vdisposed upon the upper end of said stem,

an additional conducting rod having one end enlarged, the other threaded, said enlarged end being embedded in said cap, said threaded end being extended through the opening formed in the extension of said remaining contact member substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

13. In a device of the class described, a socket comprising a bodv formed of nonlmembers carried within said body and adapted to coperate with a trio of exterior contact members, one of said members having `electrical connection with the second named sleeve, a contact arm electrically connected with another of said contact members land having its free end disposed within but t out of contact with the second named sleeve,

and additional conducting means having electrical connection with the remaining contact memberl and terminatin beyond and out of contact with the sleeve ofgsaid stem.

14. In a device of the class described, an electric light socket comprising a body formed of non-conducti-n material and having a hollow branch a* te lower end thereof, said body being also provided with a stem at the top of the same, a metallic sleeve applied to said stem, an additional sleeve applied within the hollow branch of the body, metal connecting means between said sleeves, to-secure the same in position and afford electrical connection therebetween, a trio of female contact members mounted within said body, one of said members having connection with the second named sleeve in said body, an arm havingconnection with another of said contact members and terminating within the hollow branch of the body, a cap member of non-conducting material applied to the outer end of said stem, and means for securing said cap member in position and simultaneously having connection with the remaining female contact member in the body, said last mentioned means also forming a contact means for engagement with a lead wire in the main socket'when the device is applied thereto.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set` my hand in presence of two subscribing wit- IleSSeS.

ETsNo TAMURA.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM FRANK POLLS, FRED PARK HALL. 

